The Canucks continued their playoff push into the second month of 2020, looking to pick up some big wins and solidify their playoff position.
First they had to wrap up the first month of the new year on a high note when they hosted the Charleswood Hawks on Jan. 31, 2020.
The Canucks would ride a five goal second period en route to a 5-3 win. Kale Price, Ethan Unruh, Cole Chicoine, Carson Miller and Trent Halfdanson scored for the Canucks, with Brady Whitely, Chris Sass, Craig Wiess and call-up Tyrone Willan recording assists. Halfdanson and Unruh added assists as well for multi-point games.
Nathan Cvar stopped 44 of 47 shots to pick up the win in net.
The Canucks then began the month of February in Stonewall against the Jets on the 4th.
Despite a late push by the Jets, the Canucks were able to hang on for a 5-4 victory.
Trent Halfdanson (1G 1A) and Craig Wiess (2A) had multi-point games, while Kurtis Luke, Kale Price, Graeme Shingleton and Cole Chicoine also scored in the game. Troy Borthistle, Zach Greenwood, Carson Miller, Chris Sass and Adam Thurlbeck also recorded assists.
Noah Gilbert picked up the win in net.
The Canucks then had a tough task, taking on the league’s top two teams in back-to-back games. The first of those two games was against the league leading Pembina Valley Twisters in Morris on Saturday, Feb. 8.
It was a tough game for the Canucks, who fell 5-1.
Brady Whitely scored the only Canucks goal, with an assist from Adam Thurlbeck.
On Thursday, Feb. 13, the Canucks had another tough night, losing 6-3 to the St. Vital Victorias. Carson Miller (2G) and Jalen Hoilett (2A) had multi-point games for the Canucks, with Zach Greenwood chipping in with the Canucks’ third goal. Adam Thurlbeck had another assist for a three game point streak.
The Canucks then wrapped up this stretch of games looking to get back in the win column at the St. James Civic Centre against the Ft. Garry/Ft. Rouge Twins on Friday, February 14.
The Canucks would do just that, scoring a pair of third period power play goals to win 4-2.
Captain Adam Thurlbeck had a monster game, scoring a goal and adding three assists. Kale Price, Ethan Unruh and Chris Sass scored the other goals.
Craig Wiess had two assists, with Cole Chicoine and Mack Whitely adding assists as well.
Noah Gilbert picked up his 13th win of the season, stopping 22 of 24 shots in the victory.
After this stretch, the Canucks have a record of 23-15-0 with seven games left in the regular season, which is good enough for 4th place in the tightly contested MMJHL standings.
Chalk Talk Three Stars:
3 – Carson Miller – The rookie forward had three goals and an assist over this five game stretch and has four goals and 10 points in 29 games this season.
2 – Craig Wiess – The veteran forward has five assists in his past five games and is third in team scoring with 25 points.
1 – Adam Thurlbeck – The captain lead by example during this stretch as he’s done all season, recording a goal and six assist over these five games. On the season he has 6 goals and 16 assists.
What’s Next?
The Canucks take on the Raiders Junior Hockey Club at Seven Oaks SportsPlex on Friday, Feb. 21 before hosting their annual alumni game on Saturday, Feb. 22. They’ll wrap up the weekend by hosting the River East Royal Knights on Sunday, Feb. 23.